Chapter 170

The Navarre Duchy was a small territory with a population of 2 million located in the northwest of the Baroque Empire .

It was mainly founded by the immigrants from the Volga Republic who had entered the Baroque Empire .

There was a reason why the Baroque Empire, which was greedy for territorial expansion, left the Navarre state without capturing it .

Navarre, which had a poor land, was the land for nomadic herdsmen who raised sheep and goat . The specialties of the place were leather, cheese production and a small amount of copper mine in the north of the region .

The empire judged the region as something that wouldn’t be able to provide much profit even after the empire took over it .

In addition, the poor state suffered from monsters that came from the western grasslands every year .

A few times a month, Orcs or goblins flocked into the crowded living areas .

Occasionally, large monsters such as trolls or Ogres appeared .

If the empire wanted to occupy it, they would have to support the people with food and necessities, and there was a possibility for the monsters to enter the empire .

Thus, the empire decided to satisfy its hunger by making the Navarre duchy as a tributary .

Sometimes the empire assisted them .

They gave out a junk piece of Gigant just before turning it into scrap, or sometimes they gave them military money for expenditures .

The Navarre duchy used its forces to build strongholds against monsters on the western border and deployed troops including Gigants .

Marvin was one of the rangers on the 3rd fort .

One of the most elite ranger units in the Navarre was stationed to infiltrate the western grassland outside their borders and identify any monsters .

“Take a break in here . ”

At the small but clear words of their captain, dozens of soldiers who were moving secretly gathered in one place .

They all filled their hunger with biscuits and water that they brought and looked around the place . It was because they never knew where a monster would appear and attack them .

“Captain, do we have to go this deep? The monsters have been silent for a few months . ”

The captain shrugged at the question of Marvin and answered in a deep tone, “Further . ”

“Further?” Asked Marvin .

“Yes, it is strange that the monsters are quite rather ominous and disturbing… We need to go further into the grasslands to know more . ”

“If you’re nervous, the monsters will end up scouting us,” said Marvin .

There were beasts and monsters on the meadows .

No matter how elite one was, the survival of the rangers couldn’t be guaranteed once they entered deep into the grasslands .

“For now, we will be going to the Eagle Rock Valley so save as much as you can . ”

At the words of their captain, Marvin sighed and nodded .

Eagle Rock valley was a place they would reach after another two days of traveling . They would need quite a lot of stamina along with carefully avoiding the monsters .

“Kay, if everyone is done eating…”

While looking up at the sky, the captain had ordered them to get ready to move . The soldiers, who were out scouting, began to scream from a distance .

“Get away! Run! Orcs are coming from the front…!!”

Puck!

The moment they tried to warn the others, an arrow pierced the soldier’s windpipe and slashed his throat .

Dozens of arrows flew in succession .

“What is this!? Orcs can shoot arrows?”

“Don’t bother talking and just run!”

The orcs were like a half-breed of pigs and humans and called as the losers of western grasslands .

They were more than 3 times more powerful than a human adult . They hunted in groups and domesticated the wolves or bison; they even rode them .

They were strong, but they had the intelligence of a little child . However, they could still use tools and wield weapons .

However, bows were an exception . Bows were a difficult weapon to manage and handle .

When it came to attacking ranged enemies, the orcs mainly used axes and spears to throw at them .

However, on that particular day, it seemed like they were using bows .

No, as they got closer, they seemed to be using crossbows which needed more skill than a bow!

“Scatter right away! All of you!”

At the captain’s instructions, Marvin and the other rangers scattered everywhere .

In that particular situation, rather than fleeing together, they knew scattering would give them a higher chance at survival .

But before they could scatter, arrows began to hit them again, and a lot more rangers fell down .

“Keeek! Catch the humans!”

“Don’t miss the targets!”

Shouting like pigs, the orcs were chasing after the humans .

They were in pursuit of the humans that were giving out signals .

But Marvin and the other rangers, who were running away for their lives, couldn’t see what was happening .